Woodland, CA Right to Farm: Farm Nuisance Protection (2026)

Chapter 9.52, cited as the "City of Woodland right to farm ordinance" (§ 9.52.010), states City policy to preserve agricultural operations both outside and inside the urban limit line and to warn buyers near farmland of sounds, odors, dust, and chemicals that may accompany farming (§ 9.52.020), with the intent of limiting nuisance liability for farms as urban development encroaches (§ 9.52.030). "Agricultural land" under § 9.52.050 means Yolo County's A-P, A-E, or A-I zoned parcels or the City's A-1, planned-development, or other zoned land actually in agricultural use, and "adjacent to agriculture" means within 500 feet.

The core protection at § 9.52.070(A) states that agricultural operations conducted per proper and accepted customs "shall not be or become a nuisance ... if it was not a nuisance when it began," conditioned on compliance with applicable federal, state, and county law, and does not apply where the nuisance results from negligent or improper management. Section 9.52.060 separately requires that, as a condition of discretionary approvals like subdivision maps, use permits, or rezonings touching property within 500 feet of agricultural land, every transferor insert a specified Right to Farm deed disclosure referencing California Civil Code §§ 3482.5 and 3482.6 and directing spraying concerns to the Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner, except within the Spring Lake specific plan area, which has its own negotiated deed restriction (§ 9.52.060(B)).

A nuisance suit cannot proceed until the complainant first seeks a decision through the § 9.52.080 grievance procedure before the Planning Commission or agreed mediation or arbitration (§ 9.52.070(B)).